The Crumpet family's journey to Mortgage Freedom:-)

greent

re illness affecting plans.


I think OPing the mortgage is all about balance - I know some can go at it hell for leather and really hammer it for a few years and be totally dedicated but I like to take a more gradual approach and have some treats along the way - I think that's particularly important with children. Even small treats (ice creams on a day out) are lovely to have and all part of making memories Therefore I think taking the odd camping trip is a great idea. I like the idea of putting ebay/ facebook and cashback money towards it or maybe reduce OPs for the summer months to help fund the trips? Whatever, it's all about balance and having fun along the way as a family x

Goldiegirl

Hello Crumpets!

Just been enjoying reading your diary.

I absolutely agree about balance, it fact I posted on another thread about it a bit earlier.

We only have one life, so it's important to live it to the full, particularly for those with young children.

The camping trips will be fun for all of you now, and great memories in years to come

Crumpets

Hello Greent and goldiegirl, you are both right, balance is so important, I really like your idea of reducing op's for the summer months Greent, it would be a shame to miss out on the lovely weather, and camping isn't a very expensive thing to do anyway. We have most things but as we haven't been since Ds has been born we will need to buy a few things for him, but I'm feeling quite excited about planning some trips now:beer:

cotswoldaccountant

Great news about your DDs getting into the schools of choice! I have another year before that news for DS3. Mustn't forget to apply though - I nearly did with DD. Fourth child will be lucky to get any schooling at this rate!

Camping trips sound great fun. Good plan to reduce your regular OP to accommodate this - I agree it is all about balance, and having happy memories are very important.

Crumpets

cotswoldaccountant wrote: »

Great news about your DDs getting into the schools of choice! I have another year before that news for DS3. Mustn't forget to apply though - I nearly did with DD. Fourth child will be lucky to get any schooling at this rate!

:rotfl:I know what you mean, my poor Ds has hardly had anything new brought for him, it's funny how things become less important the more kids you have (not that the kids aren't important ) and he's nt fussed anyway.

This morning I spent some time in the garden and planted some more seeds, basil, spinach, mixed leaves, land cress and mange tout:T still got a few more things to plant but need to dig over my other raised beds first. We then went to the park as dd2 wanted to have a go at riding her bike without stabilisers:eek: she still needs some practice on that one! Unfortunately we left the park too late so we had to buy some lunch out, we got sandwiches and drinks from @sda but it still cost £15:eek:

Dinner tonight has been left overs and I'm hoping that I can scrape together something for tomorrow night too. I've just done an online shop with waitrose to stock up on basics as I had a £6 off a £50 spend and I am going to try and spend under £50 when I next go to Aldi.

I've been eyeing up some camping equipment today, not cheap:eek: I'll have a look on eBay before I buy anything, and will only buy things we absolutely need;)

Crumpets x

NessBob

hello everyone !!
we are new to all of this and would really appreciate some advice on overpaying our mortgage ! we have currently just swapped deals saving us £150 per month but need to know is it better to save up and make one overpayment per year or to continue to overpay by £150 each month ??? please could anyone advise us ? many thanks in advance.

RoaringTwenties

Hi Crumpets, glad the hols are going well Well done on the eBaying, it never ceases to amaze me what sells instantly and what sticks. I've failed to sell a gorgeous Monsoon girls spring/summer dress for 99p yet people seem to want to pay over the odds for a child's winter hat just as the sun comes out! Barmy

Glad you got a good quote on the decking. Our gardener started yesterday (just about to add that to my diary!) & wow what a difference. Absolutely worth every penny.

Glad you got the schools you wanted too :T. Is DD1 at senior school level already? My son didn't get into our first choice school a couple of years ago. There's a real crisis in places here, but the school he got - which was at the time quite poor - has been turned round, it now has the best Ofsted in the district and people are fighting to get their kids in there. Hope the uniforms are not too costly, I started DS with all lovely branded stuff but soon shoved him onto Asda sweatshirts for half the price :rotfl:

I think lessening the OPs and having some fun is a sensible idea. It's hard when you carry that debt and just want it gone but life is to be lived after all! I think as you and others have said that's especially true when you have little ones. The memories are so crucial, and you never get this time back do you? I'm sure you'll find the balance that's right for you. I know loads of people who go camping and it's a really economical way of holidaying, it's not cheap with hotels etc when you're into family numbers!

Your gardening sounds fab, I wish I was so greenfingered. I only have to look at a Spider plant and it wilts (ha ha Kindle just changed 'wilts' to 'Wiltshire', not far from you I think?!)

Have a great Easter, and if you find anywhere that stocks Mini Eggs let me know, they're like gold dust round here and we need them to make Easter nests

RoaringTwenties

PS: I'm v jealous of you being able to shop with Waitrose, they don't deliver to me which is decidedly

cotswoldaccountant

Roaring Twenties - we also have no Mini Eggs here. Apparently there is a real shortage as they miscalculated the Easter rush and had manufactured them all before Christmas!! I tried to buy some yesterday to put on a cake but had to make do with a Flake instead!

RoaringTwenties

cotswoldaccountant wrote: »

Roaring Twenties - we also have no Mini Eggs here. Apparently there is a real shortage as they miscalculated the Easter rush and had manufactured them all before Christmas!! I tried to buy some yesterday to put on a cake but had to make do with a Flake instead!

Thanks cotswoldaccountant, at least it's not just me! Not very MSE of the manufacturers, tsk tsk